The agitation by villagers from Siridao Palem against Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act entered its third day on Monday after a call for a maha andolan, drew an overwhelming response from across Goa. Thou sands of people converged at Azad Maidan in Panjim in one of the largest pub lic mobilisations in recent years against the conten tious provision. The protest intensi fied after villagers from Siridao-Palem staged an overnight demonstration at the TCP office, opposing land conversions alleged ly carried out under Sec tion 39A in the St Andre constituency. By Monday morning, Azad Maidan had become the epicentre of the agitation, with speak ers accusing the govern ment of pushing land con versions while ignoring environmental and com munity concerns. Congress leader Ja nardan Bhandari said Ba hujan Samaj-elected lead ers have failed to deliver justice to the people.
“Bahujan Samaj is being used for vote-bank politics,” he said. Former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes said, “This protest is not limited to St Andre. It is for all of Goa. This is also in sup port of the ‘Enough is Enough’ agitation. We have already shown that 39A is an illegal section that is destructive for the state. It is good that greater awareness has been creat ed about this section because villages are being destroyed.” “It is just impossible for us not to be part of this envi ronment of resistance. More and more people are getting annoyed and saying enough is enough. This has to stop somewhere. The ministers who do what they want have to be shown the door. They are not fit to be called Goans. They have nothing to do with Goa. They are only into mon ey making racketeers,” said Dr Claude Alvares, Director, Goa Foundation Former forest minister Alina Saldanha said, “Whatev er is happening in Goa is not right. The state needs to be protected, and it is the government’s responsibility to take care of nature and the environment. Why is the environ ment being taken for granted? The most important thing is to understand the size of Goa and decide how much Goa can sustain.” A woman protester said, “I am here because I love my land, and this government, which has been elected by the people, is destroying it. The people who have gathered here have shown how much they love their land.” Luzin Correa from Dona Paula said, “We have come here to support the agitation to scrap 39A of the TCP Act.” A protester from Cansaulim added, “We have come here to join the protest. A hotel project is coming up in our vil lage by converting agricultural land under 39A.” Alex Azavedo from Arossim said, “A big hotel is coming up in our village. The hotel has received permission show ing that there is a 10-metre-wide road. But the fact is that the road in our village is just three to four metres wide. The hotel is being expanded by destroying agricultural fields and sand dunes.” Police deployment was heavy across Panjim, with barri cades placed at key junctions. Buses scheduled to transport participants, particularly from South Goa, were reportedly stopped. Police also allegedly prevented people from Cun colim from travelling to Azad Maidan. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said, “The BJP govern ment has today proved that it wants to take away the right to freedom of speech and expression. Fearing that people would throng Azad Maidan to oppose Section 39A of the TCP Act to protect Goa, the BJP government used machin ery to deter and intimidate our people and stopped them from going towards Panjim. This is not acceptable, and we will fight against this dadagiri of this incapacitated BJP government. I am confident that people will teach a lesson to such a corrupt government, which is harassing the pub lic while looting the assets of the state.” As evening approached, a large section of protesters marched from Azad Maidan to Dona Paula, heading to wards the residence of TCP Minister Vishwajeet Rane. Leaders from the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led the march, raising slogans and demanding that Section 39A be scrapped. Security was tightened around the minister’s residence, with heavy police deployment and barricades at multiple entry points. Protesters, however, took alternative routes through Taleigao, Caranzalem and Miramar and several groups reached the vicinity of the residence, shouting slo gans. They stayed at Dona Paula until 11 pm before finally deciding to return to Azad Maidan to continue their agita tion. Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas told reporters, “This pro test is the voice of Goans. Our request to Vishwajeet Rane is that, if he is in his residence, he should come out and ad dress the people. He should promise the people that land converted under Sections 39A and 17B will be restored to its original status.” “This is the people’s voice, and people are agitated. We do not know what the next step will be. Something massive and out of control could happen. If he does not come out, it will be his mistake. He will have to assure the people. Oth erwise, I do not know what is going to happen.” Goa Congress Vice President Sunil Kawthankar said, “We are protesting peacefully, but the police’s behaviour shows complete dictatorship. This is salarzasahi of the BJP.” However, Fatorda MLA and Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai distanced himself from the march to the minister’s residence. “Justice Ferdinho Rebello has already given copies of the bills to all opposition MLAs regarding all TCP issues, including 39A. When we discuss bills on the floor of the House, the law needs to be changed there. We cannot go to someone’s house to protest. I will take back my people who came for the protest. I had come here in solidarity and in support of the people.” “I am not going to anybody’s private house; however, I support the protest. I am against this culture. You can go to offices or official residences. You can paralyse the Sec retariat or the Assembly, but not private houses. Agitation cannot be hijacked. I am not here to be hijacked,” he said.
